Leg exercising device for simulating ice skating

ABSTRACT

A frame carries a pair of articulated components engageable by the feet of the user. Tensioning devices attached to the frame give resistance to rearward movement of a user&#39;&#39;s legs thus enabling the user to simulate skating and strengthen the necessary muscles and the like.

O I I Umted States Patent 11 1 1111 3,756,595 Hague 1451 Sept. 4, 1973[54] LEG EXERCISING DEVICE FOR 3,485,495 12/1969 Gibbs 272/79 CSlMULATING ICE SKATING FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS lnvemori G0rgeHague, Birchdale 812,332 2 1937 France 272 73 wlnnepeg, 6 Mamtoba,Canada [22] Filed: Apr. 23, 1971 Primary Examiner-Richard C. PinkhamAssistant ExaminerWi11iam R. Browne [21] App]. No.. 136,823 Atmmey Kent& Ade

[52] US. Cl 272/70, 272/83 A, 2727/73/50, [57] g v ABSTRACT 51 1m. (:1.A63b 21/02, A63b 21/00 A frame carries a P of articulated components[58] Field of Search 272/79 R, 80, 57 R, gageable y the feet of theuser- Tensioning devices 272/57 A, 79 C, 70, 72, 73; 123 25 R tached tothe frame give resistance to rearward movement of a users legs thusenabling the user to simulate 5 References Cited skating and strengthenthe necessary muscles and the like 14 Claims, 7 Drawing FiguresPATENTEHSEP' 4 pm v SHEEI 3 0F. 3

INVENTOR.

,560/(6-5 M ,ZA

LEG EXERCISING DEVICE FOR SIMULATING-ICE SKATING The invention relatesto new and useful improvements in devices designed specifically forindividuals desiring to strengthen the legs, more particularly themuscles of the legs which areused in ice skating or the like.

The only way for hockey players or ice skaters to strengthen orcondition their legs are to actually play. However, this requiresconsiderable ice time and at the beginning of the season particularly,such ice time is usually at a premium so that it usually takes a playersome weeks to play into condition.

By the same token, a player coming off the injury list also takesseveral weeks of playing to get himself back into shape and although thedevice is designed specifically for use by ice skaters and hockeyplayers, nevertheless it can be used with considerable success byplayers conditioning themselves for the majority of sports such asfootball, basketball, track and the like.

The difficulty with conventional exercising devices arises from the factthat it is almost impossible for conventional devices to simulate theskating motion and thus improve the muscles usually used for thismotion. As an example, the front quads, backs of the thighs, thebuttocks, the hamstrings, and the lower back muscles are used in iceskating action.

The present device constitutes a relatively simple portable structurewhich can be used by an individual to simulate the skating motion and tosupply resistance on the rearward thrust of each leg alternatively in amanner very similar to the action of ice skating.

The device is portable, can be folded, simple in construction andotherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the considerations and inventive objects herein set forth in view,and such other or further purposes, advantages or novel features as maybecome apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification,the present invention embodies the combination of parts, hereinexemplified in one or more specific embodiments of such concept,reference being had to the accompanying FIGS. in which:

FIG. 1 is a relatively small scale isometric partially schematic view ofthe preferred embodiment of the device.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternative embodiment ofthe device.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the articulatedcomponents.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the outer member of the articulatedcomponent showing the transverse hinge.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the mounting of the footplate to the outer end of the articulated component.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view bodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of one side of FIG. 6.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, referenceshould first be made to FIG. 2 in which 10 illustrates generallysupporting structure consisting of a horizontal cross bar 11 havingdown-turned ends 12 into which are socketed vertical supports 13 inspaced and parallel relationship to one another.

of a further preferred em Outwardly diverging brace componentscollectively designated 14 connect to the lower ends of the verticalsupports by means of spaced sleeves 15 and pairs of braces 16 extendfrom these sleeves 15 in spaced and parallel relationship, terminatingwith down-turned end. portions 17 which are ground engaging by the lowersides 18 thereof thus when they are folded outwardly to the positionshown in FIG. 2, providing a rigid structure.

A pair of articulated components collectively designated 19 areprovided, each component including an inner member 20 having a bearingsleeve 21 secured to the inner end thereof and pivotally or bearablyengageable around the lower ends of the vertical supports 13 between thepairs of sleeves 15 as clearly shown thus mounting the articulatedcomponent for swinging action in a horizontal plane.

Outer components collectively designated 22 are connected to the outerends of the inner components 20 and details of this connection are shownin FIG. 3.

A vertically situated bearing sleeve 23 is secured to the outer end ofthe inner component 20 and a clevis connector collectively designated 24is pivotally secured to this sleeve. This clevis connector includesupper and lower bearing plates 25 situated above and below the sleeve 23with a pivot pin 26 extending through the plates and through sleeve 23thus mounting the outer component 22 for swinging movement in ahorizontal plane relative to the inner components 20.

A pair of lugs 27 extend outwardly and upwardly from the side 28 of theclevis connector remote from the bearing plates 25 and a horizontalpivot pin 29 extends through these lugs and through a sleeve 30 securedtransversely to'a vertical bracket 31 extending upwardly from the innerend of the outer component 22 thus hinging the outer component formovement in a vertical plane relative to the inner component 20 by meansof this transverse hinge 29 and 30.

A diagonal brace 32 extends from adjacent the transverse sleeve 30outwardly and downwardly to be secured tothe outer componentintermediatethe ends thereof. A similar diagonal brace 33 extends betweenderside ofthe foot plate between the ribs, by means of rivets 38.

A top plate 39 is secured, by rivets 40, to the other end of theflexible length 37 so that the foot plate hasa certain hinging orpivotting action in a vertical plane around the connection of theflexible length 37 tothe foot plate 34 by means of rivets 38.

A bearing shaft 41 depends downwardly from the top plate 39 and engageswithin a vertical bearing 42 in the form of an aperture formed in theupper end of the outer component 22 of the articulated component.

This shaft is held in position by means of a bolt assembly 43 engagingwithin the bearing shaft 41 with a resilient stop member 44 surroundingthe bolt.

This permits the foot plate to be rotated in a horizontal plane relativeto the outer member 22-and also to tilt or hinge in a horizontal planedue to the flexible link or length 37 connecting the foot plate to thetop plate 39.

A resistance component, cable and reel with return spring, collectivelydesignated 45 is provided for each articulated component 19 and isconnected to the frame by means of cross members 46 extending betweenthe pairs of sleeves of the supporting structure. The details of thisresistance mechanism or component will be described later.

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment in which the construction of thearticulated components and supporting framework is similar to thathereinbefore described.

However, the resistance components in this instance take the form ofpiston and cylinder assemblies collectively designated 47 including acylinder 48 being pivotally connected by one end thereof, throughsliding clip 49, to the upper member 16 of the brace component 14. Thepiston rod 50 is pivotally connected by the outer end thereof to theinner member of the articulated component intermediate the ends thereofas clearly shown. This piston and cylinder assembly may take the form ofa conventional shock absorber or air cylinder and contains a returnspring (not illustrated) which returns the articulated components to theposition shown in FIG. 1.

In operation, the user stands upon the foot plates and engages thestraps around the shoes to hold the feet firmly in position upon thefoot plates. The cross bar 11 is grasped by the hands and the skatingaction is commenced with each foot thrusting rearwardly and upwardlyalternatively and being brought forwardly to simulate the skatingaction.

Inasmuch as the resistance mechanism or components 45 and 47 aredesigned to supply resistance on the rearward thrusting action only, theskating muscles and the like are strengthened due to this exercise. Thedouble articulation of the inner and outer components together with thearticulation of the foot plates relative to the outer members, permitthe legs and feet to simulate almost exactly, the action of an iceskater.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further preferred embodiment of the device in whichthe cross brace 11A having the down turned ends 12A, is socketed to basemembers 51 which include the angulated substantially vertical portions52 and the horizontal portions 53 which are of course ground engaging. Across brace 54 extends between members 53 to provide rigidity andmaintain these members in their desired relationship one with the other.

An angulated brace 55 extends from adjacent the upper end of thevertical portions 52 outwardly and downwardly to the members 53 andprovides additional bracing at this point. The articulated components 24are similar in construction to those hereinbefore described and arepivoted to the frame by the bearing sleeves 20 engaging posts (notillustrated) extending upwardly from the members 53.

The resistance mechanism or components take the form of piston andcylinder assemblies 47 extending between the inner components 20 and theframe adjacent the angulation 56 between portions 52 and 53.

The improvement in this particular embodiment consists of means toadjust the articulated components so that the foot plate 34 may movesubstantially parallel with the longitudinal axis 57 of the machine, asindicated by double headed arrow 58, or, alternatively, to move in anarc to simulate a skating action as shown by the dotted double headedarrow 59.

The parallel action simulates running or walking and is useful undercertain circumstances, particularly as an initial training prior toundertaking the skating type exercise.

A drag link 60 is pivoted by one end thereof to a lug 61 adjacent thefront end of the outer component 22.

The other end of the drag link is also pivoted and is provided with asleeve 62 which mounts the drag link on a member 63 secured between theportion 53 and the brace 55, said member 63 being angulated downwardlyfor connection to portion 53 but including a substantially horizontalportion 64 which extends outwardly and forwardly of members 53.

A clamp 65 enables the sleeve 62 to be secured in the position shown infull line in FIG. 7 or the position shown in phantom in FIG. 7 or anyposition therebetween. When secured as shown in full line in FIG. 7, themovement of the foot plate 34 is substantially in alignment with arrow58 and as it is moved towards the position shown in phantom, themovement of the foot plate gradually increases in curvature towards thepath shown by the double headed arrow 59.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventiveconcept which is herein disclosed and- /or claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A leg exercising and conditioning device comprising in combination asupporting frame, a pair of collapsible foot receiving means forreceiving the feet of a user, said means including components whereineach of said components is pivotally connected to said frame at one endof each of said components, a force resis-. tance means connectedbetween each of said articulated components and said frame for resistingthe swinging movement of each of said articulated components in onedirection, a foot engaging member on each of said collapsible componentsadapted to receive the foot of the user, each of said articulatedcomponents including an inner member pivotally mounted at one endthereof to said supporting frame, for movement in only a horizontalplane, and an outer member journailed by one end thereof to the otherend of said inner member, said outer member having means for permittingmovements of said inner member in a vertical plane and in a horizontalplane relative to said inner member.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said frame includes astationary hand engaging cross bar, a pair of vertical supportsdepending one from each end of said cross bar, and a pair of outwardlydiverging floor engaging brace members connected respectively to eachsupport of said pair of vertical supports atone end of said braces andadjacent the bases of said vertical supports.

3. The device according to claim 2 in which said resistance componentincludes a reel assembly mounted on said supporting structure, a returnspring associated with said reel assembly and a flexible cable extendingbetween said reel assembly and said articulated compo nent, saidflexible cable being secured by one end thereof to said reel assembly inwinding relationship therewith and by the other end thereof to saidarticulated component.

4. The device according to claim 3 which includes a vertical bearingsleeve on the other end of said inner component, a clevis connectorhaving an upper and lower bearing plate engageable over said verticalbearing sleeve, a pivot pin extending through said upper and lowerbearing plates and through said vertical bearing sleeve, a transversehinge secured to said clevis connector on the side remote from saidbearing plates, the inner end of said outer member being pivotallyconnected to said transverse hinge and a resilient pad between the innerend of said outer member and said clevis connector below said transversehinge.

5. The device according to claim 2 in which said resistance componentcomprises a piston and cylinder assembly extending between saidsupporting frame and said collapsible component, said piston andcylinder assembly providing resistance to movement of said collapsiblecomponent in one direction, and a piston return spring in said pistonand cylinder'assembly for assisting the movement of said collapsiblecomponent in the other direction.

6. The device according to claim 2 which includes a vertical bearingsleeve on the other end of said inner component, a clevis connectorhaving an upper and lower bearing plate engageable over said verticalbearin g sleeve, a pivot pin extending through said upper and lowerbearing plates and through said vertical bearing sleeve, a transversehinge secured to said clevis connector on the side remote from saidbearing plates, the inner end of said outer member being pivotallyconnected to said transverse hinge and a resilient pad between the innerend of said outer member and said clevis connector below said transversehinge.

7. The device according to claim 2 which includes a drag link pivotallyconnected by one end thereof to said outer member and by the other endthereof to said frame, the point of pivotal connection of said other endbeing adjustable thereby vary the path of travel taken by said footengaging member.

8. The device according to claim 1 in which said resistance componentincludes a reel assembly mounted on said supporting structure, a returnspring associated with said reel assembly and a flexible cable extendingbetween said reel assembly and said articulated component, said flexiblecable being secured by one end thereof to said reel assembly in windingrelationship therewith and by the other end thereof to said collapsiblecomponent.

9. The device according to claim 8 which includes a vertical bearingsleeve on the other end of said inner component, a clevis connectorhaving an upper and lower bearing plate engageable over said verticalhearing sleeve, a pivot pin extending through said upper and lowerbearing plates and through said vertical bearing sleeve, a transversehinge secured to said clevis connector on the side remote from saidbearing plates, the inner end of said outer member being pivotallyconnected to said transverse hinge and a resilient pad between the innerend of said outer member and said clevis connector below said transversehinge. I

10. The device according to claim 1 in which said resistance componentcomprises a piston and cylinder assembly component, said piston andcylinder assembly providing resistance to movement of said articulatedcomponent in one direction, and a piston return spring in said pistonand cylinder assembly for assisting the movement of said articulatedcomponent in the other direction.

11. The device according to claim 10 which includes a drag linkpivotally connected by one end thereof to said outer member and by theother end thereof to said frame, the point of pivotal connection of saidother end being adjustable thereby vary the path of travel taken by saidfoot engaging member.

12. The device according to claim 1 which includes a vertical bearingsleeve on the other end of said inner component, a clevis connectorhaving an upper and lower bearing plate engageable over said verticalbearing sleeve, a pivot pin extending through said upper and lowerbearing plates and through said vertical bearing sleeve, a transversehinge secured to said clevis connector on the side remote from saidbearing plates, the inner end of said outer member being pivotallyconnected to said transverse hinge and a resilient pad between the innerend of said outer member and said clevis connector below said transversehinge.

13. The device according to claim 12 which includes a drag linkpivotally connected by one end thereof to said outer member and by theother end thereof to said frame, the point of pivotal connection of saidother end being adjustable thereby vary the path of travel taken by saidfoot engaging member.

14. The device according to claim 1 which includes a drag link pivotallyconnected by one end thereof to said outer member and by the other endthereof to said frame, the point of pivotal connection of said other endbeing adjustable thereby varying the path of travel taken by said footengaging member.

1. A leg exercising and conditioning device comprising in combination asupporting frame, a pair of collapsible foot receiving means forreceiving the feet of a user, said means including components whereineach of said components is pivotally connected to said frame at one endof each of said components, a force resistance means connected betweeneach of said articulated components and said frame for resisting theswinging movement of each of said articulated components in onedirection, a foot engaging member on each of said collapsible componentsadapted to receive the foot of the user, each of said articulatedcomponents including an inner member pivotally mounted at one endthereof to said supporting frame, for movement in only a horizontalplane, and an outer member journalled by one end thereof to the otherend of said inner member, said outer member having means for permittingmovements of said inner member in a vertical plane and in a horizontalplane relative to said inner member.
 2. The device according to claim 1in which said frame includes a stationary hand engaging cross bar, apair of vertical supports depending one from each end of said cross bar,and a pair of outwardly diverging floor engaging brace members connectedrespectively to each support of said pair of vertical supports at oneend of said braces and adjacent the bases of said vertical supports. 3.The device according to claim 2 in which said resistance componentincludes a reel assembly mounted on said supporting structure, a returnspring associated with said reel assembly and a flexible cable extendingbetween said reel assembly and said articulated component, said flexiblecable being secured by one end thereof to said reel assembly in windingrelationship therewith and by the other end thereof to said articulatedcomponent.
 4. The device according to claim 3 which includes a verticalbearing sleeve on the other end of said inner component, a clevisconnector having an upper and lower bearing plate engageable over saidvertical bearing sleeve, a pivot pin extending through said upper andlower bearing plates and through said vertical bearing sleeve, atransverse hinge secured to said clevis connector on the side remotefrom said bearing plates, the inner end of said outer member beingpivotally connected to said transverse hinge and a resilient pad betweenthe inner end of said outer member and said clevis connector below saidtransverse hinge.
 5. The device according to claim 2 in which saidresistance component comprises a piston and cylinder assembly extendingbetween said supporting frame and said collapsible component, saidpiston and cylinder assembly providing resistance to movement of saidcollapsible component in one direction, and a piston return spring insaid piston and cylinder assembly for assisting the movement of saidcollapsible component in the other direction.
 6. The device according toclaim 2 which includes a vertical bearing sleeve on the other end ofsaid inner component, a clevis connector having an upper and lowerbearing plate engageable over said vertical bearing sleeve, a pivot pinextending through said upper and lower bearing plates and through saidvertical bearing sleeve, a transverse hinge secured to said clevisconnector on the side remote from said bearing plates, the inner end ofsaid outer member being pivotally connected to said transverse hinge anda resilient pad between the inner end of said outer member and saidclevis connector below said transverse hinge.
 7. The device according toclaim 2 which includes a drag link pivotally connected by one endthereof to said outer member and by the other end thereof to said frame,the point of pivotal connection of said other end being adjustablethereby vary the path of travel taken by said foot engaging member. 8.The device according to claim 1 in which said resistance componentincludes a reel assembly mounted on said supporting structure, a returnspring associated with said reel assembly and a flexible cable extendingbetween said reel assembly and said articulated component, said flexiblecable being secured by one end thereof to said reel assembly in windingrelationship therewith and by the other end thereof to said collapsiblecomponent.
 9. The device according to claim 8 which includes a verticalbearing sleeve on the other end of said inner component, a clevisconnector having an upper and lower bearing plate engageable over saidvertical bearing sleeve, a pivot pin extending through said upper andlower bearing plates and through said vertical bearing sleeve, atransverse hinge secured to said clevis connector on the side remotefrom said bearing plates, the inner end of said outer member beingpivotally connected to said transverse hinge and a resilient pad betweenthe inner end of said outer member and said clevis connector below saidtransverse hinge.
 10. The device according to claim 1 in which saidresistance component comprises a piston and cylinder assembly component,said piston and cylinder assembly providing resistance to movement ofsaid articulated component in one direction, and a piston return springin said piston and cylinder assembly for assisting the movement of saidarticulated component in the other direction.
 11. The device accordingto claim 10 which includes a drag link pivotally connected by one endthereof to said outer member and by the other end thereof to said frame,the point of pivotal connection of said other end being adjustablethereby vary the path of travel taken by said foot engaging member. 12.The device according to claim 1 which includes a vertical bearing sleeveon the other end of said inner component, a clevis connector having anupper and lower bearing plate engageable over said vertical bearingsleeve, a pivot pin extending through said upper and lower bearingplates and through said vertical bearing sleeve, a transverse hingesecured to said clevis connector on the side remote from said bearingplates, the inner end of said outer member being pivotally connected tosaid transverse hinge and a resilient pad between the inner end of saidouter member and said clevis connector below said transverse hinge. 13.The device according to claim 12 which includes a drag link pivotallyconnected by one end thereof to said outer member and by the other endthereof to said frame, the point of pivotal connection of said other endbeing adjustable thereby vary the path of travel taken by said footengaging member.
 14. The device according to claim 1 which includes adrag link pivotally connected by one end thereof to said outer memberand by the other end thereof to said frame, the point of pivotalconnection of said other end being adjustable thereby varying the pathof travel taken by said foot engaging member.